RG Outrider
Encyclopedia
The RG Outrider, also known by its original designation RG-32M Light Tactical Vehicle (LTV), is a 4x4 multi-purpose mine-protected armoured personnel carrier
(APC) manufactured by BAE Systems
of South Africa
. It was first introduced in early 2009 as the RG-32M LTV, and was first purchased by Ireland
. The vehicle was offered to the US market the following year, re-designated as RG Outrider. It is based on and is the successor to the RG-32M already in service in Afghanistan with the coalition forces. The RG Outrider offers several improvements over its predecessor, including the addition of the V-shaped hull
.
announced the introduction of a new variant of the RG-32M, named RG-32M Light Tactical Vehicle (LTV), which was put on display at the International Defence Exhibition
(IDEX) the same month. The main improvement was the addition of a V-shaped hull
, increasing the protection offered. BAE Systems claimed that "the RG32M is mine hardened, but the RG32M LTV is mine protected". Ireland
was the first country to purchase the RG-32M LTV, acquiring 27 units for assisting peacekeeping
operations. The vehicle was launched for the North American market in early 2010, with the new designation RG Outrider. The company announced in February 2010 that they had demonstrated the RG Outrider to US military commanders at the Nevada Automotive Test Center. It was exhibited at the Association of the United States Army
(AUSA) winter exposition the same month. It is being marketed in the United States targeting operations in Afghanistan where its predecessor, the RG-32M, has been in use with US, Swedish and Spanish forces.
level 2). Anti-tank mine protection is of level 2a and 2b (under wheel and under center), and it can also provide side protection against Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). A 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun can be fitted to the weapon station on the roof.
The RG Outrider has a height of 2190 millimetres (86.2 in), and is 6000 millimetres (236.2 in) long and 2205 millimetres (86.8 in) wide. It has a wheelbase
of 3340 millimetres (131.5 in) and a ground clearance of 430 millimetres (16.9 in). Classified as a four-wheeled mine protected patrol vehicle, it has a weight of 9500 kilograms (20,943.9 lb), and can carry 4 personnel including the driver and commander. It is powered by a Steyr
M16S CI Turbo charged intercooled engine (6-cyclinder, 200kW), with 5-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive
capability. It has a maximum speed in excess of 120 kilometres per hour (74.6 mph), and can negotiate up to 60% gradients and 30% side-slopes. The RG Outrider also has a payload capability of 2000 kilograms (4,409.2 lb). Its load bay allows the addition of mission specific equipment, thus allowing the vehicle to be adapted to different conditions. Commercial off-the-shelf parts have been used extensively in the vehicle, with the view that this will reduce the need for crew training and logistics problems.
Armoured personnel carrier
An armoured personnel carrier is an armoured fighting vehicle designed to transport infantry to the battlefield.APCs are usually armed with only a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles , or mortars...
(APC) manufactured by BAE Systems
BAE Systems
BAE Systems plc is a British multinational defence, security and aerospace company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, that has global interests, particularly in North America through its subsidiary BAE Systems Inc. BAE is among the world's largest military contractors; in 2009 it was the...
of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. It was first introduced in early 2009 as the RG-32M LTV, and was first purchased by Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. The vehicle was offered to the US market the following year, re-designated as RG Outrider. It is based on and is the successor to the RG-32M already in service in Afghanistan with the coalition forces. The RG Outrider offers several improvements over its predecessor, including the addition of the V-shaped hull
V-hull
The V-hull is a type of vehicle armor design used on wheeled armored personnel carriers , infantry mobility vehicles and infantry fighting vehicles...
.
History
In February 2009, BAE SystemsBAE Systems
BAE Systems plc is a British multinational defence, security and aerospace company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, that has global interests, particularly in North America through its subsidiary BAE Systems Inc. BAE is among the world's largest military contractors; in 2009 it was the...
announced the introduction of a new variant of the RG-32M, named RG-32M Light Tactical Vehicle (LTV), which was put on display at the International Defence Exhibition
International Defence Exhibition
The International Defense Exhibition & Conference, or IDEX, is a biennial arms and defense technology sales exhibition. According to the Jane's Defense Weekly website, IDEX is the largest arms exhibition in the Middle East...
(IDEX) the same month. The main improvement was the addition of a V-shaped hull
V-hull
The V-hull is a type of vehicle armor design used on wheeled armored personnel carriers , infantry mobility vehicles and infantry fighting vehicles...
, increasing the protection offered. BAE Systems claimed that "the RG32M is mine hardened, but the RG32M LTV is mine protected". Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
was the first country to purchase the RG-32M LTV, acquiring 27 units for assisting peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
operations. The vehicle was launched for the North American market in early 2010, with the new designation RG Outrider. The company announced in February 2010 that they had demonstrated the RG Outrider to US military commanders at the Nevada Automotive Test Center. It was exhibited at the Association of the United States Army
Association of the United States Army
The Association of the United States Army is a private, non-profit organization that acts primarily as an advocacy group for the United States Army. Founded in 1950, it has 125 chapters worldwide. Membership is open to everyone, not just Army personnel, nor is membership mandatory for soldiers,...
(AUSA) winter exposition the same month. It is being marketed in the United States targeting operations in Afghanistan where its predecessor, the RG-32M, has been in use with US, Swedish and Spanish forces.
Features
The RG Outrider is slightly larger than its predecessor, with the hull being 200 millimetres (7.9 in) wider and 50 millimetres (2 in) higher. In addition to the APC role, it can also be used as a command, liaison or scouting vehicle. The RG Outrider can provide ballistic protection against up to 7.62x39 mm anti-personnel rounds (STANAG 4569STANAG 4569
NATO AEP-55 STANAG 4569 is a NATO Standardization Agreement covering the standards for the "Protection Levels for Occupants of Logistic and Light Armored Vehicles".The standard covers strikes from Kinetic Energy, artillery, and IED blasts....
level 2). Anti-tank mine protection is of level 2a and 2b (under wheel and under center), and it can also provide side protection against Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). A 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun can be fitted to the weapon station on the roof.
The RG Outrider has a height of 2190 millimetres (86.2 in), and is 6000 millimetres (236.2 in) long and 2205 millimetres (86.8 in) wide. It has a wheelbase
Wheelbase
In both road and rail vehicles, the wheelbase is the distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels.- Road :In automobiles, the wheelbase is the horizontal distance between the center of the front wheel and the center of the rear wheel...
of 3340 millimetres (131.5 in) and a ground clearance of 430 millimetres (16.9 in). Classified as a four-wheeled mine protected patrol vehicle, it has a weight of 9500 kilograms (20,943.9 lb), and can carry 4 personnel including the driver and commander. It is powered by a Steyr
Steyr Motors GmbH
Steyr Motors is an Austrian manufacturer of Diesel-engines based in Steyr, Upper-Austria.-History:Steyr Motors has its origin in the Diesel-engine division of the earlier Steyr-Daimler-Puch group. Since 2001 it became an independent company trough internal Management Buyout.In 2008 Steyr Motors...
M16S CI Turbo charged intercooled engine (6-cyclinder, 200kW), with 5-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
capability. It has a maximum speed in excess of 120 kilometres per hour (74.6 mph), and can negotiate up to 60% gradients and 30% side-slopes. The RG Outrider also has a payload capability of 2000 kilograms (4,409.2 lb). Its load bay allows the addition of mission specific equipment, thus allowing the vehicle to be adapted to different conditions. Commercial off-the-shelf parts have been used extensively in the vehicle, with the view that this will reduce the need for crew training and logistics problems.